- Do you ever hesitate, wondering if you should “pass an exam” or “take an exam”?
- Are you confused about when to “pass the time” versus “spend the time”?
- How can you ensure your English sounds natural and fluent when using the versatile word “pass”?
Understanding collocations—words that commonly go together—is a game-changer for English learners. Instead of translating word-for-word, mastering collocations helps you speak and write more naturally, like a native speaker. It boosts your confidence, reduces language anxiety, and makes your communication clearer and more impactful. Let’s unlock the power of collocations with the word “pass” and elevate your English!
Common Collocations with PASS as a Verb
The verb “pass” is incredibly flexible, carrying meanings related to movement, success, time, and transfer. Mastering its collocations will significantly enhance your fluency.
Achieving Success or Completing a Task
When you achieve a desired outcome, especially in academic or formal contexts, “pass” is your go-to verb.
- Pass an exam/a test: To successfully complete an examination or assessment.
- “She studied tirelessly to pass her final exam with excellent grades.”
- “I hope I can pass the driving test on my first attempt.”
- Pass a course: To successfully complete a period of study.
- “He needs to pass this course to graduate next semester.”
- Pass with flying colours: To pass something very easily and with great success.
- “Despite the difficult material, she managed to pass the interview with flying colours.”
- Pass inspection: To meet the required standards after being examined.
- “The new machinery must pass inspection before it can be used on the production line.”
Movement and Transition
“Pass” frequently describes movement, whether literal or figurative, often indicating going beyond or through something.
- Pass by: To go past someone or something.
- “A strange car seemed to pass by our house several times.”
- “Time seems to pass by so quickly when you’re having fun.”
- Pass through: To move through a place or stage.
- “The train will pass through three tunnels before reaching its destination.”
- “Many companies pass through different growth phases.”
- Pass over: To ignore or overlook someone or something; also, to cross over something.
- “The manager decided to pass over him for the promotion.”
- “Birds often pass over the mountains during migration.”
- Pass along/on (information/a message): To give something to another person, especially after receiving it yourself.
- “Could you please pass along this message to Sarah?”
- “I’ll pass on your feedback to the team.”
Time and Events
“Pass” is commonly used to describe the progression of time or events.
- Pass the time: To do something to occupy oneself during a period when there is nothing important to do.
- “We played cards to pass the time during the long flight.”
- Pass (a milestone/an anniversary): To reach or go beyond a significant point in time.
- “The company recently passed a major milestone in its global expansion.”
Giving and Transferring
In many contexts, “pass” means to hand something to someone or to transfer ownership/responsibility.
- Pass the salt/the ball/the remote: To hand an item to someone.
- “Please, could you pass the salt?”
- “The midfielder attempted to pass the ball to the striker.”
- Pass the buck: (Informal) To shift responsibility or blame to someone else.
- “Don’t try to pass the buck; you’re responsible for this decision.”
- Pass on (inheritance/a trait): To transmit something, often genetically or through legacy.
- “He hoped to pass on his knowledge to the next generation.”
Legislation and Formal Decisions
In legal or political contexts, “pass” refers to the approval of laws or proposals.
- Pass a law/a bill/a resolution: To formally approve a piece of legislation or a proposal.
- “Congress is expected to pass the new bill by the end of the month.”
- “The committee voted to pass a resolution condemning the actions.”
Health and Well-being (Euphemisms)
“Pass” can be used euphemistically to refer to sensitive topics.
- Pass away: To die (a gentler way of saying it).
- “My grandmother passed away peacefully in her sleep last night.”
- Pass out: To faint or lose consciousness.
- “It was so hot in the room that one of the students began to feel dizzy and almost passed out.”
Essential Collocations using PASS as a Noun
As a noun, “pass” often refers to a document, a movement, or a successful outcome.
Documents and Permits
When used as a noun, “pass” often refers to a document that grants permission or access.
- A boarding pass: A document required to board an aircraft.
- “Don’t forget your boarding pass at the check-in counter.”
- A season pass: A ticket or card allowing unlimited entry or use for a specific period.
- “We bought a season pass to the local ski resort.”
- An all-access pass: A special permit allowing entry to all areas, usually at an event.
- “As a journalist, she received an all-access pass to the music festival.”
- A security pass/ID pass: An identification card used for entry to secure areas.
- “You must wear your security pass at all times within the building.”
Actions and Opportunities
“Pass” as a noun can also describe a specific action or a chance.
- Make a pass (at someone): (Informal) To flirt or make a sexual advance.
- “He tried to make a pass at her, but she wasn’t interested.”
- Make a pass (in sports): To transfer the ball or puck to a teammate.
- “The forward made a brilliant pass to set up the winning goal.”
- A free pass: Permission to do something without being criticized or punished, or an exemption.
- “Given his recent illness, we gave him a free pass on the deadline.”
- A mountain pass: A route through a mountain range.
- “The famous St. Bernard Pass connects Switzerland and Italy.”
Master Summary Table
Here’s a quick reference for some of the most crucial collocations with “pass”:
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Pass an exam | Verb + Noun | Succeed in an examination |
| Pass with flying colours | Verb + Preposition + Noun | Succeed easily and brilliantly |
| Pass by | Verb + Preposition | Go past; (time) elapse |
| Pass the time | Verb + Noun | Occupy oneself during waiting |
| Pass on information | Verb + Preposition + Noun | Relay a message/details |
| Pass a law | Verb + Noun | Formally approve legislation |
| Pass away | Verb + Adverb (phrasal) | Die (euphemism) |
| Pass out | Verb + Adverb (phrasal) | Faint, lose consciousness |
| A boarding pass | Adjective + Noun | A ticket for boarding a plane |
| A season pass | Noun + Noun | A ticket for unlimited entry for a period |
| Make a pass | Verb + Noun | Attempt to flirt; (sports) transfer the ball |
| A free pass | Adjective + Noun | Permission without criticism/penalty |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
One of the biggest hurdles for English learners is using word combinations that, while grammatically correct, sound awkward or unnatural to a native speaker. Here’s how to avoid common pitfalls with “pass”:
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Make an exam | Pass an exam / Take an exam |
| Spend the time | Pass the time / Spend time (doing something) |
| Give a message | Pass on a message / Give a message (both possible, but “pass on” implies relaying) |
| Die | Pass away (more empathetic, especially in formal or sensitive contexts) |
| Become unconscious | Pass out |
| Make a law | Pass a law |
| Go by | Pass by (often interchangeable, but “pass by” is more common for objects/people moving past) |
In a bustling office, Sarah, the new project manager, was determined to succeed. “I’m going to ensure this proposal will pass inspection with ease,” she declared to her team. “We need to work diligently, but let’s also remember to pass the time wisely during breaks, perhaps with a quick brainstorming session.” Later that day, during a critical meeting, her colleague Mark nearly passed out from the heat. Sarah quickly adjusted the thermostat. The board members were impressed by her composure, noting how she efficiently managed to pass on the key information without missing a beat. The next day, she received an email: “Congratulations, the board voted to pass the resolution! You truly passed with flying colours on your first major project.” Sarah smiled, thinking about the all-access pass to the upcoming industry conference she’d just earned.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pass Collocations
What’s the difference between “pass out” and “pass away”?
“Pass out” means to faint or lose consciousness, usually temporarily (e.g., “He felt dizzy and passed out from the heat.”). “Pass away” is a polite or euphemistic way to say ‘to die’ (e.g., “Her grandfather passed away peacefully last night.”).
Can ‘pass’ be used with ‘time’ in different ways?
Yes, the most common collocation is “pass the time,” meaning to do something to occupy oneself during a period of waiting or leisure (e.g., “We played games to pass the time.”). You can also say “time passes quickly/slowly” to describe how quickly or slowly a period feels (e.g., “The afternoon passed quickly.”).
Is ‘pass’ always positive in its meaning?
Not always. While “pass an exam” or “pass a law” are positive, “pass over someone” means to ignore or overlook them for something, which is negative (e.g., “They passed over him for the promotion.”). Also, “pass judgment on someone” means to criticize them, which can also be negative (e.g., “It’s not fair to pass judgment on her without knowing the full story.”).
What does it mean to “pass the buck”?
To “pass the buck” is an idiomatic expression that means to shift responsibility or blame for something to someone else, rather than dealing with it yourself (e.g., “The manager always tries to pass the buck when things go wrong.”). It generally carries a negative connotation.
Are there specific prepositions commonly used with ‘pass’ as a verb?
Absolutely! “Pass” frequently combines with prepositions to form phrasal verbs or specific meanings. Common ones include “pass by” (go past), “pass through” (go into and out of), “pass on” (give something to someone else; die), “pass over” (ignore; cross over), and “pass around” (distribute). Each preposition subtly changes the meaning and context.
What is a “pass mark”?
A “pass mark” (also “passing mark” or “passing grade” in American English) is the minimum score or standard required to successfully complete an exam, course, or assessment (e.g., “You need 70% to achieve the pass mark for this module.”).
Perfect for my intermediate students! The examples are so clear. Perhaps a downloadable cheat sheet of common 'pass' collocations could be a great addition?
What a brilliant suggestion, Olga! We're always looking for ways to make learning even more accessible and practical for both students and teachers. A downloadable cheat sheet for 'pass' collocations (and others) is definitely something we'll consider adding in the near future. Thank you for your valuable feedback!
I often hear 'pass judgment' or 'pass comment'. Are those also collocations related to 'transferring' an opinion? Would love to know if they fit into the categories mentioned.
That's an astute observation, Ben! Both 'pass judgment' and 'pass comment' are excellent examples of collocations where 'pass' signifies the act of expressing or conveying an opinion, critique, or observation. While not a physical 'transfer,' it's a transfer of thought or an idea from one's mind to public expression. So, yes, they absolutely fit under the broader umbrella of 'pass' related to conveying or initiating something!
So glad I found this blog! I always worried about sounding robotic, and now I see why. Collocations are the key! Thank you!
Welcome to Translateen.com, Fatima! We're thrilled to have you. You've hit on a critical insight: collocations are indeed essential for moving beyond sounding 'robotic' and towards natural, fluid English. Keep exploring our articles, and you'll find many more keys to unlocking your English fluency!
The summary mentioned 'transfer' as one of the meanings of 'pass'. Could you elaborate on some common collocations related to 'pass' meaning transfer? Like 'pass the ball' or 'pass a message'?
Certainly, Chen! You've already listed two perfect examples: 'pass the ball' (in sports) and 'pass a message' (to convey information from one person to another). Other common collocations include 'pass the salt' (to hand it to someone), 'pass a law' (to officially approve and enact it), 'pass on knowledge' (to share expertise), or even 'pass the torch' (to hand over responsibility or leadership). It's all about moving something from one point or person to another!
Another fantastic article from Translateen.com! Collocations are truly the secret sauce for sounding more natural. Appreciate the clear examples.
Studied tirelessly to pass my final exam. This sentence resonates with me! Just finished a big project and this is a timely reminder about using natural English. Keep these articles coming!
I've been learning English for years and collocations are still my biggest challenge. This article makes me feel like I can actually get better at them. Thank you for making it so understandable!
We're so glad to hear that, Aisha! It's true that collocations can be challenging because they often defy direct translation, but they are absolutely learnable. The key is consistent exposure and practice, just like you're doing by reading articles like this. Keep practicing, and you'll definitely see improvement!
Regarding 'pass a course,' is there any difference in connotation between 'pass a course' and 'complete a course'? Or are they generally interchangeable in academic contexts?
Excellent question, Kenji, a very subtle but important distinction! To 'complete a course' means you have finished all the requirements – attended classes, submitted assignments, taken the exams, etc. – regardless of your grades. To 'pass a course' specifically means you have successfully met the minimum academic standards to receive credit for it. So, you can 'complete a course' but 'fail to pass it' if your grades aren't high enough. They are not entirely interchangeable; 'pass' always implies success.
Very clear and concise. Thank you!
The 'pass the time' vs 'spend the time' section sounds like something I need to read! I often mix those up. Can you give a quick example of when you would typically use 'pass the time' in a more informal setting?
Absolutely, Lars! 'Pass the time' often implies doing something to occupy yourself, usually without a specific goal, perhaps out of boredom or during a wait. For an informal setting, you might say: 'We just sat in the cafe, chatting and watching people go by to pass the time until our movie started.' Or, 'I like to read a book to pass the time on long train journeys.' It often suggests a more relaxed, less purposeful activity than 'spend the time,' which can imply more active or productive engagement.